At the SEMA 2008 Azentek booth, we interviewed Donnie to hear a little bit about their new navigation smart mirror product. Windows Mobile devices really don’t fall in mp3car’s sweet spot, but this is an interesting form factor for a PND. Without giving it a full run through or a drive test, this mirror seems like it would be perfect for users who wants something that works out of the box.

So What is happening with their car computing efforts? Azentek is no longer bringing their original double din car PC into production and are starting on a brand new double din model which will be on display at CES, but not available for purchase until Q1 or Q2 2009.

The main features of this redesigned product set for release at CES will be increased tolerances to environmental and shock extremes as well as the ability for users to upgrade the Intel processor. More details will be available at CES.

Azentek also confirmed that Centrafuse is their software platform of choice and they will be using that in a modified Azentek branded form for the release at CES.

Saw the Azentek PC today first hand!

Not sure whats going on with the product but I got to evaulate one today but the system was running xp in chinese i believe. It was close to the end of the day so I will get a look see in the am. Wonder if I can get it installed in my vehicle for testing... wishful thinking.

Car PC Status {------- }0%

Car Died along with Autonode Monitor after returned to me. Worked for 3 Months then died again. The car engined died not long after!

From crutchfield

11/11/2008 11:48:10AM Session Started with Agent (Marie)
11/11/2008 11:48:22AM Agent (Marie): "Good morning. Welcome to the Crutchfield Product Advisor team. How may I help you with your product selections today?"
11/11/2008 11:48:23AM Eli: "good day"
11/11/2008 11:49:09AM Eli: "I am inqyuiring about the Azentek Atlas CPC-1000"
11/11/2008 11:49:26AM Agent (Marie): "I'd be happy to help."
11/11/2008 11:49:52AM Eli: "ts been on pre order for quite sometime now has ther ebeen any developments"
11/11/2008 11:50:09AM Agent (Marie): "I'm very sorry, but we do not have a definite date from the manufacturer just yet."
11/11/2008 11:50:36AM Agent (Marie): "Even though it is on backorder, it will be worth the wait. You can place your order now, and we will reserve one for you."
11/11/2008 11:51:02AM Eli: "How about a time period qt1 2009 q2?"
11/11/2008 11:51:02AM Agent (Marie): "We will not charge your card until we actually ship the product out of our warehouse, and you can cancel at any time."
11/11/2008 11:51:31AM Agent (Marie): "Let me see if I can find their contact information."
11/11/2008 11:52:07AM Agent (Marie): "I found it on their website."
11/11/2008 11:52:14AM Agent (Marie): "Let me call them for you."
11/11/2008 11:52:18AM Agent (Marie): "One moment, please."
11/11/2008 11:52:34AM Eli: "Its a question of do I want to invets in the g35 oem kit now and put in a double din dvd player in the meantime or should i wait"
11/11/2008 11:52:41AM Eli: "ok"
11/11/2008 11:54:43AM Agent (Marie): "What's the year, make and model of the vehicle?"
11/11/2008 11:55:08AM Eli: "2003 inf g35 coupe with BOSE factory"
11/11/2008 11:57:29AM Agent (Marie): "Ok."
11/11/2008 11:57:32AM Agent (Marie): "Sorry for the delay."
11/11/2008 11:58:01AM Agent (Marie): "Let's look at this dash kit real quick and then we will discuss your options further:"
11/11/2008 11:58:03AM Agent (Marie) sends page: "http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=120997604&i=120997604"
11/11/2008 11:58:33AM Agent (Marie): "This dash kit will be half price with any receiver you purchase that is $129 or more."
11/11/2008 11:58:50AM Agent (Marie): "Also, you can install a double din or single din and use the storage pocket to fill in the left over space."
11/11/2008 11:58:58AM Eli: "really?"
11/11/2008 11:59:01AM Agent (Marie): "Everything is included in the kit to do either the double or single din size receiver."
11/11/2008 12:01:15PM Eli: "is the kenwood dnx8120 software firmware issues been resolved"
11/11/2008 12:01:42PM Agent (Marie): "One moment, while I check."
11/11/2008 12:01:57PM Agent (Marie): "In the meantime, you can view a close up of the dash kit here:"
11/11/2008 12:02:01PM Agent (Marie) sends page: "http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2008/120/h120997604-F_dg.jpeg"
11/11/2008 12:02:04PM Agent (Marie): "Very nice!"
11/11/2008 12:03:19PM Agent (Marie): "Any units in stock after 4/3/08 should not have any problem as we returned our affected stock to Kenwood for the update."
11/11/2008 12:04:50PM Eli: "Do you see a price drop in the near future because of the recent news of a newer model?"
11/11/2008 12:04:53PM Agent (Marie): "Initially when they first came out around the end of March, there were some Bluetooth and navigation issues. However, Kenwood is doing all the updates to any models that have been shipped after April 3 of this year."
11/11/2008 12:05:21PM Agent (Marie): "Let me check."
11/11/2008 12:07:48PM Eli: "ok"
11/11/2008 12:09:12PM Eli: "And one last question about the cpc-1000: Does it come with Software preinstalled (frontend, winxp, centrafuse, etc)"
11/11/2008 12:09:12PM Agent (Marie): "They actually just dropped the price $101 yesterday down to $1498.99:"
11/11/2008 12:09:17PM Agent (Marie) sends page: "http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=dnx8120&i=113DNX8120"
11/11/2008 12:10:04PM Agent (Marie): "So it may be a little while before it drops again. Of course, it could drop tomorrow. I'm very sorry we do not have any insight as to what will happen in the near future on them."
11/11/2008 12:10:18PM Agent (Marie): "Ok."
11/11/2008 12:10:26PM Agent (Marie): "Now, for the CPC-1000 details."
11/11/2008 12:10:51PM Eli: "understandable in this market of cnsumer electronics"
11/11/2008 12:11:41PM Agent (Marie): "Azentek stated they did some design changes and added more features and options and did a lot of improvements on the CPC-1000."
11/11/2008 12:12:00PM Agent (Marie): "And because of the changes, it is still in production right now, but would be done by the end of the year."
11/11/2008 12:12:22PM Agent (Marie): "However, it will still need to go through the testing process at that point."
11/11/2008 12:12:30PM Agent (Marie): "So it will be Q1 before it will ship."
11/11/2008 12:12:56PM Eli: "oh ok so cross my fingers and hope by late spring."
11/11/2008 12:13:04PM Eli: "well thanks for all you answers"
11/11/2008 12:13:08PM Eli: "you helped a great deal"
11/11/2008 12:13:27PM Agent (Marie): "Hopefully!"
11/11/2008 12:13:49PM Eli: "hoave a good day"
11/11/2008 12:13:53PM Agent (Marie): "It does come with Windows® Vista Ultimate edition."
11/11/2008 12:14:07PM Eli: "oh but not detail onfront end"
11/11/2008 12:14:10PM Eli: "gui"
11/11/2008 12:14:41PM Agent (Marie): "Here are the computer features:"
11/11/2008 12:15:48PM Agent (Marie): "1) 1.66 GHz processor with 1GB of RAM (expandable to 2GB) and 533/667 MHz front-side bus
2) DVD/CD-RW drive plays DVDs and burns CDs
3) 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
4) Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
5) 120GB hard drive (expandable to 160GB)"
11/11/2008 12:16:35PM Eli: "is there cpc-1200 going to be sold on crutchfield as well"
11/11/2008 12:16:43PM Agent (Marie): "Absolutely."
11/11/2008 12:16:56PM Agent (Marie): "It will be $2799.99."
11/11/2008 12:17:11PM Agent (Marie): "But do not know when it will be available."
11/11/2008 12:17:23PM Agent (Marie): "I'm almost wondering if it is the model replacing the CPC-1000."
11/11/2008 12:17:57PM Eli: "i am thinking the same thing beacue the specs are so similar"
11/11/2008 12:18:48PM Agent (Marie): "Here are the details on both units directly from their website:"
11/11/2008 12:18:55PM Agent (Marie) sends page: "http://www.azentekonline.com/cms/content/view/86/"
11/11/2008 12:19:05PM Eli: "and the SEMA 2008 show just completed and Azentek did not say much besides it was ddelayed for testing etc"
11/11/2008 12:20:05PM Agent (Marie): "I'm sure they have been working on this all year long and realized how quickly the computer technology changes everyday."
11/11/2008 12:21:03PM Eli: "is tehre AM on the cpc1000"
11/11/2008 12:21:28PM Agent (Marie): "One moment, while I check."
11/11/2008 12:23:37PM Agent (Marie): "Yes, it has AM and FM according to our specs. But that's all it states. It doesn't list any tuner features or other specs or pre-set options."
11/11/2008 12:24:57PM Eli: "wel again thanks ,arie"
11/11/2008 12:24:59PM Eli: "marie"
11/11/2008 12:25:48PM Agent (Marie): "You are very welcome. Also, if you decide on another receiver between now and then, don't forget to check out the accessories tab for any features or items you may need from there."
11/11/2008 12:26:12PM Agent (Marie): "Let me give you a cart with the CPC-1200 on it, if you want to pre-order it."
11/11/2008 12:27:04PM Eli: "I think I will wait for a few weeks to decide"
11/11/2008 12:27:05PM Eli: "maybe some more info comes out"

Car PC Status {------- }0%

Car Died along with Autonode Monitor after returned to me. Worked for 3 Months then died again. The car engined died not long after!